Just a Quick Update...

I'm back home again! (There's no place like home!) Everything went well with surgery. Glad that is behind me now. Now to just remember no lifting for ten weeks. Wayne and the kids have stopped me a few times--before I did lift, but only just. I still don't feel like doing much, but every day is getting better. Deidre is doing a great job helping in the kitchen and with laundry. The boys are great at helping out too.

I'll just post some pictures of some of the fun cards and care packages I got. (Thanks so much!) The treat I got while in the hospital that just beat all treats was when Wayne walked in with a cup of coffee from my favorite coffee shop! And it tasted every bit as good as I hoped it would!

New and Much Improved!

The old look (above and below)

Notice the shop vac--I had to empty the pan after each load!

What a difference!

New look!

Crown Molding

After 18 years our good ole' washer and dryer set FINALLY conked out! It was a case of opportunity meets circumstance (or something along that line) While we were getting ready for our washer and dryer to be delivered, we decided to paint the utility room. It was the only room in the downstairs that hadn't been painted since we moved here.

I wasn't too sure about the color at first, but the kids loved it so it stayed. I really like it now, though. The room even ended up getting baseboard and crown molding. (I think Wayne was just anxious to use some of his garage full of woodworking toys!) All in all--I love it! And I especially love the washer and dryer!

Happy Birthday, Carlin! (April 19)

Top: Now
Bottom photo: Sept. 07

Another year has sped by! It's hard to believe this guy is 14 already! That means we have lived in MI 14 years--already! (He is probably glad that I don't have any cute baby pictures scanned to my computer--or there would be one posted here!) I'll post pictures of how much he has changed this school year!

Spring Break!?

(Above) Can't believe how much my boys are growin'!
(Below) The Three (Muskateers, Stooges?!) Not sure which!

Can't you tell Kyle's sure impressed with Wedding business?!

This is about the best shot I got of the bride and groom!

The Three_______again! Family Photo!

....and they kidnapped her!

Pierogie makin' or (hardening of the artery days!)

Just had to get a picture for the record of "Pops" helping!

and here's Donna! You are doing great!

Donna's first trip home in 11 weeks!

Aunt Freda

Visiting with Aunt Mary

Now that we are back from our Spring Break it is time to get some updates posted. It was such a busy week that I'm not exactly sure "break" is an appropriate word for it.

We did enjoy our week in MN and it was good to get together with the whole family again. Warren's and us both left MI Thursday evening and went as far as Chicago. Brenda got to come also. Friday morning brought a heavy snowfall so the trip through WI was pretty nasty! The snowplows were trying to clear the roads, but weren't able to keep up. We were taking the van and sure missed the suburban on those roads! We did arrive safe in MN Friday evening. Ellen and Kent made it up from AZ. Wonder why they always felt so cold?!

Saturday we headed to Minneapolis for Amanda's wedding. Pictures were early in the day and the wedding was late afternoon. Several of us went to lunch and shopping in between. It was a beautiful day--in spite of the snow! Congrats Amanda and Elliott!!

Since the whole family was there we got to have family picture time! Quite interesting getting everyone stuffed into a tiny Sear's Portrait Studio! Anyway--that's done! All were there except for Nick and Amanda's new hubby!

It was wonderful to see Donna. She is coming along great! She is in the rehab wing of the nursing home and has therapy daily. I went with her to therapy and she was so excited to show me what all she can do. She can walk a pretty good distance with her walker and is starting to get up out of her chair by herself. The neat thing about the nursing home are the dogs that come visit. They have two beautiful Golden Retrievers that come visit the residents. Of course they love Donna's room! (must have something to do with all the "doggy treats" they get?!)

We parted with our old van and brought home the folk's van--which is pretty nice!! It sounds so QUIET! Ours had had enough of these rough roads!

Friday we headed home. Think I'm ready to stay put for a while and catch up here! (Hmmm--I wonder where we can go biking this summer......!?)

Happy Trails!

Just wanted to check in with you all before we "hit the road again"! We have a week in MN that includes a wedding, family pictures, gatherings, etc....and I'm going to attempt to be somewhat good while I'm there. And then back to it big time when I get back!
Here are some pictures of the Kumquats we tried this last week. They taste kind of like an orange and lemon!
Have a great week! I'll be checking in!

Sweet 16!!

Happy Birthday, Deidre!
How time flies! It doesn't seem like that many years since our first baby arrived, and here she is already sixteen years old! We celebrated the evening with our neighbors and Mrs. Ivey. Mrs. Ivey was Deidre's aide for four years in elementary school. She still feels like part of the family!

Our Latest Project.....

(Above) air return in upstairs hallway
(Below) OOPS! Not quite the size we were looking to put in!

1 instruction manual + 1 cuppa coffee= ready to install?!

Something's growing out of my ceiling!

This is more the size we were aiming for! All nice and neat!

That probably should read "Wayne's Latest Project"! Dressed in layers we headed to the attic to begin our air conditioning project. It was freezing cold up there, but I know we will truly appreciate it come July! After 13+ years with only a window air-conditioner downstairs we will have it in the whole house!
The holes are only about 3 1/2"............except for the OOPS! Thank goodness it wasn't ME that put it there. We have plans to someday redo our bedroom, so the ceiling will be repaired at a later date! At least it isn't open into the attic still!